Players fighting for NRL lifelines and bumper pay rises in Pacific Championship ahead of November 1 deadline
From Super League stars looking for NRL homecomings to outcasts facing the rugby league scrap heap, these are the players hoping to use the Pacific Championship to secure their futures.
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There is more than just pride on the line in the Pacific Championships with over 20 players looking to catch the attention of rival suitors and even bump up their price tag.
Former Roosters junior turned Leigh Leopards playmaker Lachlan Lam has long been on the radar of NRL clubs since moving to the UK Super League and will put himself in the shop front window when he turns out for Papua New Guinea over the next few weeks.
While the likes of former Parramatta grand finalist Waqa Blake, who is uncontracted for 2025, is hunting a NRL lifeline after a stint in England.
There is as much intrigue back with Ben Hunt’s contract saga taking a twist on Wednesday, which could expedite his exit at the Dragons.
It makes his Kangaroos campaign all the more important, as the veteran halfback looks to prove to rival outfits he is worth his hefty price tag.
Penrith centre Paul Alamoti is a master of his own contract destiny and a strong campaign for Tonga, after an impressive season with the premiers, will undoubtedly have rivals lining up for his services.
We take a look at some of the Pacific Championship stars looking to secure their future and earn a pay-rise ahead of the November 1 deadline.
Ben Hunt
Age: 34
Contract: End of 2025
Test Side: Kangaroos
The veteran won’t have to wait until November 1 to test the market after the Dragons gave him permission to immediately start looking for a home beyond 2025.
The move also signal that the club would be willing to entertain an early release for Hunt.
Given the Dragons’ reluctance to re-sign Hunt, his performances in the green and gold will be crucial in convincing he is worth the price tag, which is currently around $900,000.
Hunt wants to return to Queensland and has already been heavily linked to the Titans but the Broncos and Cowboys could also be options.
Paul Alamoti
Age: 20
Contract: End of 2025
Test Side: Tonga
The powerful centre is set to command a pay rise from his current deal, worth about $250,000, on the open market after a strong finals series with the four-time premiers Penrith.
His asking price will only go north if he can take his Panthers form into the international arena for Tonga.
Penrith took a risk on Alamoti after he struggled to make a mark at Canterbury and it paid off. While the Panthers want to keep Alamoti, the club’s success has come with a salary cap squeeze and could find it hard to compete with rivals willing to pay up for a destructive outside back.
A number of Sydney clubs like Parramatta and South Sydney could bolster their backline stocks with a youngster like Alamoti.
Lachlan Lam
Age: 26
Contract: End of 2025
Test Side: Papua New Guinea
Has one year left on his deal with the Leigh Leopards but is open to making a return to the NRL.
At least three NRL teams had expressed interest in bringing the Sydney Roosters junior back to Australia earlier this year, including the Titans and Canterbury.
While the Titans are looking at life beyond Kieran Foran, the Bulldogs are in search of a long-term halves partner for Matt Burton.
Lam has excelled in England, guiding Leigh to promotion into the Super League in 2022 and into consecutive finals series in the last two seasons.
In a market where elite halves are a rare commodity, a dominant showing over the next few weeks will put Lam in the box set to secure an NRL home coming.
Waqa Blake
Age: 29
Contract: Unsigned 2025
Test Side: Fiji
The Pacific Championships could be the difference between an NRL lifeline and the rugby league scrap heap for Blake.
The ex-Parramatta centre switched to the English Super League in 2024 on a one-year deal with St Helens that has not been renewed beyond this year.
It’s understood Blake, who played 165 games for Parramatta and Penrith, is willing to remain in England but has not closed the door on a return to Australia.
The athletic centre back offers potential suitors plenty of NRL experience as a depth signing in the outside backs.
Leo Thompson
Age: 24
Contract: End of 2025
Test Side: New Zealand
The Knights are already in talks to keep him in Newcastle but the hulking prop has every intention of testing the open market, where he could fetch around $600,000 per season – around double what he is currently earning.
He’ll get to prove he is worth every dollar with a destructive campaign with the Kiwis. The Bulldogs want to add some muscle and aggression to their mobile pack, and Thompson is on the Belmore club’s radar.
Canterbury are also likely to be able to meet Thompson’s asking price with the likely exit of star winger Josh Addo-Carr to free-up salary cap space to help make the deal happen.
Xavier Willison
Age: 22
Contract: End of 2025
Test Side: Cook Islands
The Broncos are keen to strike an extension deal with the young prop beyond next year but his asking price could turn into a sticking point for the two parties.
It’s believed Willison is set to earn a significant salary upgrade next year in the vicinity of $500,000.
The likes of Payne Haas and Corey Jensen are still ahead of Willison in the props pecking order and will attract the attention of rivals on the open market.
The Palm Beach Currumbin product is highly regarded but with just 30 NRL games under his belt, he’ll need a huge showing for the Cook Islands to justify his asking price and catch the attention of rivals clubs in need of starch in the pack like Parramatta, South Sydney and Canterbury.
Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad
Age: 29
Contract: End of 2025
Test Side: New Zealand
With boom fullback Taine Tuaupiki breathing down his neck, and never ending calls for Roger Tuivasa-Sheck to be moved back into the No.1 jumper, Nicoll-Klokstad could find himself in a battle to retain his spot at the back.
His case isn’t helped by the fact that the Warriors regressed in 2024 but a big showing for the Kiwis over the next few weeks will not only put him back in the poll position to retain his No.1 jumper but help supercharge contract talks with the Warriors for a deal beyond next year.
Davvy Moale
Age: 21
Contract: End of 2025
Test Side: Cook Islands
A prop with plenty of potential, a dominant campaign for the Cook Islands will see Moale attract attention from NRL rivals.
A number of clubs are looking to add some youth and fresh legs to their forward packs including the Dolphins and Melbourne Storm, and Moale could be the answer.
Melbourne landed Stefano Utoikamanu but were exposed in the middle in the grand final loss to Penrith.
In Redcliffe, Jesse Bromwich has retired and other ageing pack members like Felise Kaufusi, Jesse Bromwich and Mark Nicholls are in the back-end of their careers.
Robert Derby
Age: 22
Contract: End of 2025
Test Side: Papua New Guinea
Has everything to play for over the next couple of weeks with not only a new contract on the line but a starting spot for the Cowboys in 2025.
The 193 centimetre winger is in line to replace Kyle Feldt on the right wing next year and gets a headstart in that battle when he lines up for Kumuls.
Once regarded as one of the best prospects coming out of North Queensland, Derby has struggled with injury this year and has only played a single NRL game in 2023.
Originally published as Players fighting for NRL lifelines and bumper pay rises in Pacific Championship ahead of November 1 deadline
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